Aphytis melinus
Aphytis melinus
Overview
Aphytis melinus (Aphytis) is a parasitoid wasp of armoured scale insects such as Red Scale (Aonidiella aurantii), Oriental Scale (Aonidiella orientalis) and Oleander Scale (Aspidiotus nerii).
Aphytis are tiny yellow wasps and the adults are only about 1 mm in size, just large enough to develop underneath a Red Scale insect. They are capable of short flights within a tree or from one tree to the next and will slowly spread over longer distances.
Citrus is the main crop affected by Red Scale but other hosts include passionfruit, olives, walnuts, roses, and ivy. Papaws and a wide range of ornamentals, such as palms and ferns, are hosts for Oriental and Oleander Scales.
Aphytis wasps prefer healthy, well-foliaged trees which provide shelter from extremes of environmental conditions.
How Aphytis melinus controls pests among crops
The adult female Aphytis wasp lays her eggs under the scale cover onto the body of second-instar and unmated mature female scales. After hatching, the developing Aphytis larvae feed on the scale insects, ultimately killing them. The next generation of Aphytis emerges about 15 to 21 days later to mate and continue the cycle.
Adult wasps also use scales as a food source, killing them by direct feeding (host feeding).
You can help Aphytis to establish by adopting practices that reduce wind, increase humidity and minimise dust in your orchard.
Even though Aphytis can survive hot/dry conditions they will perform better when conditions are optimal (20-35oC). Large populations of ants and high levels of dust on boundary rows can reduce their performance.
Certain pesticides and fungicides affect Aphytis so contact your local Biological Services Consultant for specific advice.
How you can order Aphytis melinus
You can order Aphytis from Biological Services in cups containing 10,000 wasps/cup.
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